STEVEN GERRARD believes Liverpool will need to be on top form to progress from the group stage of the Europa League.

The Reds skipper returned from Turkey with his team-mates yesterday following Thursday night’s victory over Trabzonspor to discover the draw had put them in Group K along with Steaua Bucharest, Napoli and Utrecht.

Gerrard admits the main focus this season is to secure a top four Premier League finish and qualify for the Champions League.

However, having not won a trophy for four years the England international is targeting glory in UEFA’s second tier competition.

“It’s a strong group and I’m certainly looking forward to the games,” he said.

“The media will make us early favourites I’m sure because of our experience in the Champions League and last year in the Europa League.

“I’m confident we can get out of the group but it will be tough. The draw has given us some difficult challenges.

“I don’t think the Europa League is the priority. Everybody knows that our league position, where we finish at the end of this year, is the priority.

“But it’s another trophy, it’s a big cup. We haven’t won a trophy for four years now so it’s important we put a good show on in all the cup competitions and try to reward the fans with a final.”

Roy Hodgson’s men will face Napoli and Utrecht in competitive action for the first time, while the Reds’ only meeting with 1986 European champions Steaua came in the UEFA Cup seven years ago when they beat them 2-1 on aggregate.

Djimi Traore’s strike secured a 1-1 draw in Romania and then Harry Kewell got the only goal in the return leg at Anfield.

The games against Napoli will pit Liverpool against former Anfield defender Andrea Dossena, who left the club back in January for around £3.5million.

Liverpool will play each club home and away with the top two from each of the 12 groups qualifying for the last 32 knockout stage, along with the eight third placed sides from the Champions League groups.

Liverpool will start their Group K campaign against Steaua Bucharest at Anfield on Thursday, September 16.

The first away trip for Hodgson’s men will be to Dutch outfit Utrecht on Thursday, September 30.